Tracking E Wallet winners
Notably, some artists who have continued with their journey of music even without winning are Davie Chiwaya, Goma Nyondo, Tigris and Aemo E-Face, who is now in South Africa.
The only winner who has remained true to his word after winning is Adrian Kwelepeta. Since winning in 2013, he has one album to his credit and another is in the offing.
“I have been doing public performances almost every week, holding my own shows around Lilongwe. All I Have was my first album and the second will be Live Or Die Story to be out in February next year.
Remaining on the scene, releasing albums and public performances has been my thing because I love music with a burning passion and so I will always be a musician no matter what comes my way. I have too much passion for music which I don’t even need motivation for one to see it,” said Adrian in an interview.
He plans to take his second album internationally following his recording deal signed recently with a Swedish label.
“Two years after winning the E Wallet show, my highest achievement is the record deal I just got with the Swedish producer Mattias Stalnacke. The deal will see me releasing my second album internationally through iTunes. It’s really a special album because it will be a beat box and acoustics project. I promise the country that they will enjoy this album for sure.
“Winning the show gave me exposure and a kick start financial muscle for my music career and being exposed to the media world helped me to also find some connects that have been beneficial for my career,” he explained.
From his experience, Adrian believes organisers need to devise a follow up mechanism that will trace the progress al the winners are making.
“I think what needs to change is that organisers should find a way to keep track of the winners of the competition and somehow support them as an artist and not once off as just winner of a competition. Being a successful artist is different compared to winning a singing competition. If they really want to raise a world of stars they have to build a system where the winners don’t end up rotting in silence and forgotten,” he said.
